Snow plow blade protection system

ABSTRACT

A snow plow leveling device comprising a housing having a front surface, a plate, and an axle rotatably coupled to the housing. The plate is coupled to the housing via the axle. The plate moves within a gap or open region within the housing. There is also a coupling element for coupling the housing to a snow plow or other device wherein when the housing is positioned in an upright position, the plate rests on the axle in a position flush with the front face of said housing to indicate a particular position of a snow plow blade. This device can optionally be used with an adjustable skid for a snow plow blade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a snow plow blade protection system which includes a snow plow blade leveling device and a snow plow blade guide or shoe, that is height adjustable and which is disposed on the side of a snow plow.

For example, the snow plow blade leveling indicator can include a housing, a flat indicating plate and a counter weight. The housing can be coupled to the top of the blade using any known coupling device such as bolts, screws, welding or any other coupling means. The shoe can be coupled to a side plate which can be coupled to a side plate on a snow plow blade. The shoe can be both rotatable on an angle and also adjustable in height.

Controlling both the angle of a snow plow blade or element and also controlling the contact of the blade with a ground surface is important because continuous use of a snow plow blade can result in wear on the blade and require routine replacement of the blade. If the blade is in contact with a ground surface at an improper angle, then the blade will wear much faster than if the blade was positioned at a proper angle.

In addition, with the addition of a properly positioned snow plow side shoe, the shoe can be used to relieve some of the pressure on a blade, to keep the blade from continuously scraping on a ground surface and wearing too quickly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a snow plow blade protection system which can include angle indicating device which can include a housing, an indicating plate, and a counter weight device which can be used to indicate the rotation of the indicating plate vs. the housing based upon gravity.

The housing can include at least one section which is in the form of a coupling section that can be used to couple the indicator to the snow plow blade. The coupling section can include a sight level bolting bracket and a sight level clamping plate for the side clamping of the housing to a snow plow blade. A user can clamp this indicator to the top surface of a snow plow blade, with the indicating plate facing a user sitting in a cab.

In a first embodiment, the plate can be coupled to a counter weight device which is rotatably coupled to the housing. This plate can be in the form of a flat plate that when mounted or coupled to the counter weight is positioned flush against the two side faces of the housing when the indicator housing is in a substantially vertical position.

The counter weight device can include a coupling bar or element, a rotatable bar or axle, and a counter weight. The counter weight can be suspended from the axle so that it provides an offset weight which would therefore induce a sufficient rotational force on the rotatable bar when the housing, which is coupled to the snowplow blade, is positioned in a offset manner.

Thus, with this design, the device can be used as a simple indicator for a user positioned in a snowplow cab to determine whether the blade is positioned in an offset position.

It is important to determine whether the blade is in an offset position because by determining if the blade is in an offset position, a user can then reset the blade angle and which will reduce the wear on the blade edge.

This device can also be used in combination with an adjustable snow plow shoe which can be used for protecting the blade of the device from additional wear. A snow plow shoe can be in the form of a runner which is coupled to a side plate on a snow plow. This runner can be used to keep the snow plow blade off of an opposed surface to keep the blade from wearing too thin. This adjustable snow plow shoe can be adjusted in both a vertical position, raised up and off of the ground or down to the ground and also adjusted rotationally so as to adjust the exact angle of the shoe or runner. This adjustment can be made by a user in conjunction with the feedback or indication provided by the snow plow angle indicating device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a snow plow;

FIG. 2 is a back view of a snow plow blade indicating the position of a possible attachment area of the indicator;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the indicator showing the different components of the indicator;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a snow plow runner assembly being connected to a side plate of a snow plow;

FIG. 5A is a side view of a side plate on a snow plow;

FIG. 5B is a side view of an adapter plate on a snow plow;

FIG. 5C is a side view of an adjustable plate; and

FIG. 5D is a side view of a skid base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a side view of a snow plow. This side view of the snow plow discloses a snow plow body including a cab 10, a set of wheels 12, a first set of extending arms, 14, a second set of extending arms 16, and a plow element 20. Plow element 20 includes a blade element 22, a blade body 24, and side scoops or side plates 101. The top edge 28 of plow element 20 can be used to receive a snow plow level indicating device 100.

Snow plow element 20 can be used as both a plow and a scoop wherein this element 20 can be selectively adjusted in angle so that it can plow, scoop and dump snow based upon the control from the user in the cab. As is known, hydraulic pistons in first arms 14 and second arms 16 can be controlled or operated to pivot plow element 20 relative to a ground surface. When a user plows a surface, it is important to make sure that the blade is positioned at its proper angle so that there is no unnecessary wear on the blade.

As shown in FIG. 3, level indicating device 100 can include a base section or coupling element 112 which is in the form of a U-shaped section. This section can include at least three bolt holes 112 a, 112 b, and 112 c wherein a user can then bolt section 112 to a top section 28 of element 20.

Base section 112 includes side holes 112 e and 112 f which can then be used to receive the remaining section of the housing. Housing 113 can be coupled to base section via a bolt 140 which can be coupled via screw threads to base 113, which can be tightened on this bolt. Housing 113 is rotatably coupled via this screw or bolt and it can be adjusted in its angle with respect to the ground via this connection. This housing has a C-shaped profile and it can be used to house an axle 116 which can be rotatably coupled to this housing, and insertable into holes 113 a and 113 b inside housing 113. Axle 116 can be rotatably coupled to housing in any known manner.

A spacer bar or counter weight spacer bar 117 can be coupled to axle 116, wherein spacer bar 117 extends out and away from bar 117 and it is then curved down to counter weight 119. Spacer bar 117 can be L shaped, and has an opposite end forming an additional spacer bar 120 which extends out to the opposite side of axle 116 and is coupled to balance plate 118. These bars 117 and 120 can be in the form of two bars on a single bar coupled to axle 116.

A balance plate 118 rests freely inside of housing 113 but it is supported by spacer bar section 120. When axle/rotatable bar 116 rotates, this causes rotational or angular movement of bar 120 which then causes plate 118 to rotate relative to housing 113 which then creates an offset view for the viewer in a cab of the snowplow.

To create the proper balance in the device, housing 113 is rotatably coupled to base bracket 112 via coupling bracket 121. Coupling bracket 121 extends out from housing 113 to create a U-shaped receiving section which then slides over U-shaped bracket or coupling element 112. This coupling bracket can then be clamped down on U-shaped bracket via a nut and a bolt to create a compression fit connection, thus frictionally engaging both brackets together. These two brackets will stay fixed relative to each other until the user loosens the nut, relieving the compression forces. Alternatively, housing 113 can have threaded holes 113 a and 113 b to receive a threaded bolt 140.

Housing 113 is rotatable relative to coupling element 112 so that indicator 100 can be set for any desired angle of a snow plow. For example, if a user decides to adjust an angle of a snow plow blade such that a top surface 28 of show plow 20 is offset from a horizontal position, a user can adjust or rotate housing 113 to compensate for this snow plow blade adjustment.

At times it may be necessary to view this indicator at night or in the driving snow. Therefore, optional additional indicators 125 and 126 can be applied to both a front face of housing 113 and to plate 118. These indicators can be in the form of painted lines, reflectors or any other known material. These indicators can also be in the form of one line or multiple parallel lines extending across housing 113 or plate 118. A user can then line up indicator 125 with the associated indicator 126 to determine whether a snow plow is positioned at the right angle.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a snow plow runner or skid which can be coupled to a side plate 101 of a snow plow. FIGS. 5A-D show some of these parts in greater detail. This device can include a first plate or side plate gusset 102 which is coupled to side plate 101 of a snow plow. First plate 102 is designed to receive an adjusting bolt or threaded rod 109. Side plate 101 can also include guides 101 a and 101 b and a slot 101 c shown in greater detail in FIG. 5A.

There is also a second plate or adapter plate 103 which is rotatably coupled to side plate 101. Second plate or adaptor plate 103 includes a top edge which has at least two curved indents 103 a and 103 b (See FIG. 5B) which are designed to receive bolts or runners in the form of guides 101 a and 101 b running in associated tracks 105 a and 105 b. Second plate 103 also includes an adjustment bushing 103 c for receiving a bolt or axle 106 a which allows for the rotation of adaptor plate 103.

An adapter plate stiffener 104 can be bolted to adapter plate 103 to restrict an associated bending or movement of an adaptor plate. An adjustment plate 105 can be coupled in a slidable manner to side plate 101. Adjustment plate 105 includes at least two tracks 105 a and 105 b and a hole 105 c. Tracks 105 a and 105 b are designed to accommodate running guides 101 a and 101 b disposed on side plate 101.

Adaptor plate 103 can be coupled in a rotatable manner to slidable bracket 105 via an axle 106 a extending through hole or bush 106.

An adjustment block 107 can be coupled to adjustment plate or adaptor 105 to couple threaded rod 109 to adjustment plate 105. There can also be an adjustment plate stiffener 108 which can be coupled to adjustment plate 105, wherein this plate acts as a flat plate to reinforce or stiffen the coupling between adjustment plate 105 and side plate 101.

Coupled to adaptor plate 103 is a skid base 110 and a skid gusset plate 111. This skid base 110 can be securely fastened to adaptor plate 103 via a plurality of bolts or any other securing means, while adaptor plate 103 is rotatably coupled to slidable bracket or adjustment plate 105 and therefore side plate 101.

Essentially this device is designed as a universally adjustable skid, which can be raised or lowered to protect a snow plow blade on a snow plow. Essentially skid 110 and gusset plate 111 can be raised and lowered axially by a rotation of a threaded adjustment rod 109. In addition, this skid 110 and gusset plate 111 can also be rotatable on a bolt 106 a relative to side plate 101. This universal adjustment then allows a snow plow operator to save on the life of these gusset plates or skids due to the decrease in the unnecessary frictional or wear interaction between a gusset plate or skids and the ground surface. The rotational movement of skid 110 and gusset plate 111 can be optionally restricted via stops 130 coupled to side plate 101 to restrict the rotational movement of skid 110 to a particular rotational region.

Both of these devices may be used together to create an adjustable system for reducing the wear on a snow plow blade.

For example, a user could review the positioning of the snow plow device by reviewing the positioning of front plate 118 relative to housing 113 on indicator 100. If this positioning is off, then the user could adjust the snow plow by viewing the indicator to position the snow plow such that front plate 118 rests in a position flush or substantially flush with a front face of housing 113. In this position the plow is positioned so that it induces relatively minimal wear on a skid gusset plate 111 in a heel or toe region to allow the skid to run parallel of the ground surface and within its rotational range. The angle indicator of the snow plow can be used to keep the snow plow on at a particular angle, within this rotational range of the skid and also at an angle that makes the snow plow blade most effective.

Alternatively, the elevation of the skid plate can be adjusted so as to protect a snow plow blade. When a user is plowing a parking lot or surface, a snow plow blade can gradually wear down along with the associated skids. It is important to reduce the wear on expensive snow plow blades by periodically adjusting the position of skid 110 and gusset plate 111 relative to a ground surface so that a skid receives the brunt of the wear on the blade while reducing the wear on a snow plow blade.

Accordingly, while a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A snow plow leveling device comprising: a) a housing having a front surface; b) a plate; c) an axle rotatably coupled to said housing wherein said plate is coupled to said housing; d) a coupling element for coupling said housing to a snow plow, wherein when said housing is positioned in an upright position, said plate can rest on said axle in a position substantially flush with said front face of said housing to indicate a particular position of a snow plow blade.
 2. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 1, further comprising a spacer bar, wherein said spacer bar is coupled to said axle.
 3. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 2, wherein said spacer bar is coupled to said axle in a center region of said axle.
 4. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 1, further comprising a counter weight coupled to said axle.
 5. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 1, further comprising a counter weight spacer bar wherein said counter weight is in the form of a pendulum weight which is coupled to said axle via said counter weight spacer bar.
 6. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 5, wherein said counter weight spacer bar is L shaped.
 7. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 1, wherein said coupling element is in the form of a U-shaped bracket and which couples said housing to the snow plow.
 8. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 7, wherein said housing has side faces and wherein said side faces of said housing have a plurality of holes for receiving said axle in a rotatable manner.
 9. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 8, wherein said coupling element includes a plurality of holes.
 10. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of bolts, wherein said side faces further comprise holes for allowing said housing to be coupled to said coupling element via said bolts.
 11. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 10, further comprising at least one coupling bracket (121) which is coupled to said housing.
 12. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 11, wherein said housing includes at least two legs formed as opposite sides faces on said housing, with each side having an inside face and an outside face, and wherein said coupling bracket comprises at least two coupling brackets, with at least one coupling bracket coupled to an outside face of each leg of said housing.
 13. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 12, wherein each coupling bracket is formed as an angled bracket extending out from each outside face of said housing to form a gap between said housing and said bracket to receive said coupling element therein.
 14. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 13, wherein said coupling bracket coupled to each leg of said housing, form with each bolt, an adjustable clamp for said coupling element, wherein said coupling element is rotatably coupled to said housing via each bolt but also selectively securable against rotation via a tightening of each bolt.
 15. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 14, wherein at least one hole in each leg of said housing is threaded to allow each bolt to selectively clamp each of said coupling brackets to said coupling element to fix said housing against rotation.
 16. The snow plow leveling device as in claim 1, further comprising a spacer bar, which is coupled to said plate and to said axle, a weight, and a counter-weight spacer bar which is coupled to said axle and to said weight, wherein said spacer bar and said counter-weight spacer bar are formed as a single bar that extends through said axle.
 17. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of indicators disposed on a front face of said housing.
 18. The device as in claim 17, further comprising a plurality of indicators disposed on said plate wherein said indicators are in the form of reflective indicators, and wherein said indicators are aligned to indicate to a user whether the plate is suspended in a manner flush with a front surface of said housing.
 19. An adjustable snow plow guide coupled to a side plate on a snow plow, the guide comprising: a) a skid element; b) a guide rod coupled to the side plate; c) an adjustment plate coupled to said guide rod and to said skid element, wherein said skid element is rotationally coupled to said adjustment plate, and wherein said guide rod is movable in relation to the side plate so as to make said adjustment plate axially movable vs. the side plate to form a snow plow guide that is adjustable both rotationally and axially vs. the side plate.
 20. A snow plow blade protection system comprising: a) a snow plow blade guide which can be coupled to a side plate on a snow plow comprising: i) a skid element; ii) a guide rod coupled to the side plate; iii) an adjustment plate coupled to said guide rod and to said skid element, wherein said skid element is rotationally coupled to said adjustment plate, and wherein said guide rod is movable in relation to the side plate so as to make said adjustment plate axially movable vs. the side plate to form a snow plow guide that is adjustable both rotationally and axially vs. the side plate; b) a snow plow leveling device comprising: i) a housing having a front surface; ii) a plate; iii) an axle rotatably coupled to said housing wherein said plate is coupled to said housing; iv) a coupling element for coupling said housing to a snow plow, wherein when said housing is positioned in an upright position, said plate rests on said axle in a position flush with said front face of said housing to indicate a particular position of a snow plow blade. 